Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-24
AT THE CHuLDREN,s HOSPITAL.
How the Little Patients are Cared for
and the Preparations for Xmas.

As q STAR reporter WAS ushered into the recep-
ton room OF the Children's Hospital the sound of
merry laughter and childish clatter that greeted
his ears from some Invisible region seemed alto
Eether incongruous with the character Of the in
stitution. After few minutes DIR. Thomas Bailey,
the resident physician, entered and soon ex-
planned that this is a charitable institution,
founded In 1870 by number OF prominent citi-
zens OF the District, for the purpose Of giving
medical treatment TO poor children between the
ages OF two and thirteen years. Of both sexes, and
without distinction as to color. There are at
present fiftyfive children under treatment little
over half being white. There are no incurable
cases admitted where that can be avoided al
though at times one Is taken under peculiar cir
cuInstances OF hardship and suffering.
walk through the building exhibited nothing
but neatness and order. on stepping out upon
de porch the rear OF the building view OF the
city Is obtained; a large yard is below for the
games OF convalescent children, the hospital own
leg the entire square, most OF which Is devoted to
this purpose Upstairs Is the ward for white chill
dren long, bright room with neat cots OF differ
four or nye patients In bed most OF the children
being In condition to run about In play. In one
corner was little girl whose knee was operated
on last week, and opposite her an older girl flushed
with fever. Everywhere was air OF comfort and
an evidence OF increasing EFFORT TO relieve the
pains OF the little ones. The babies sat up in their
cots ana played contentediy with their toys, with
a happy air. Just outside OF the ward is the mess
room, tiny place with low table set with little
ulSneS ana small benches beside IL. Those VINO
are able TO leave their beds fed here and crowd
the board TO It's utmost capacity.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR COLORED PATIENTS
Down stairs is a corresponding ward for the
colored children. When the reporter and the
hyslcan entered dozen little girls were playing
at school, laughing and talking In low merry
tones In a small room next TO the ward sat a
little fellow, about six years old, with great
shade over his eyes and rocking back and forth In
patient way. On the bed behind him lay
miniature banjo, with but single string, On
Which he Is Said 10 play with some skill, that Is,
when IL has more strings He has a contagious
disease or the eyes, and so is Isolated from the
other children and sits alone, amusing himself by
picking at his banjo and grooming ODD little songs
all the day.
THE x-MAsS TREE.
Down in a room to the left Of the entrance,
called the Hall library on account OF the medical
library stored there, donated by DR.. Hall, one Of
the founders, Is the Christmas tree, prepared by
the board or lady visitors IL Is respendant in
glass and tibsel, and heavy with candy and toys
A large D0X on one side Is overlooking with queer
shaped articles that on examination prove TO be
long stockings filled with presents for the chill
dren. slip VI paper on each tells the name OF the
child for whom IL Is designed. Under the tree and
In every corner OF the room piled great guam
THY OF toys, guns drums, bows and arrows, whips,
hobby horses, seds, horns, mouth-organs and ten
express wagons The wishes OF each one were as
certained as TO the most desirable present, and,
where the wish was not too eXOrbitant, IL was
granted. AS this Is 10 be surprise 10 the chill
Gren, this questioning had 10 be carried on in
surreptitiOus, sGillful manner.
Each child Will ind "A choking stocking hanging
on its bed tomorrow morning, and IL is predicted
that LOT while there will be a noisy time. In the
evening they will be shown the tree, and the DIS
t1Dution OF presents Will take place, followed by
another period OF romp and play. The various
articles TO be given have come from kind-hearted
business men, Who have donated them their
contributions TO the happiness OF these poor little
people.